Hard acceleration with targa removed?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Hard acceleration with targa removed?
I remember someone once telling not to accelerate hard or drag race with the targa removed because it could twist the body or something. I have about 345 rwhp an 345 rwtq. Can anyone confirm this?
Last edited by DanielRicany; Dec 7, 2014 at 02:44 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There is nothing at all in my '87 owner's manual about that.
The manual does, however, caution you about removing the Targa panel while the car is moving. They seem to think the top could fly off the car and be damaged....
The manual does, however, caution you about removing the Targa panel while the car is moving. They seem to think the top could fly off the car and be damaged....
Race Director
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From: moraga ca
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
Second, there is the math. Your ~400ctq, * ~2.70 1st gear = ~1000 lb-ft that needs to be resolved through the frame rails. That number is tiny, compared to the forces the frame deals with, when say for example, negotiating a gutter at a driveway entrance.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
No one can confirm it, but I will deny it. NO WAY, is max acceleration going to do anything to the frame. First GM has promo vids of John Heinracy doing max accel's w/the top off in a ZR-1.
Second, there is the math. Your ~400ctq, * ~2.70 1st gear = ~1000 lb-ft that needs to be resolved through the frame rails. That number is tiny, compared to the forces the frame deals with, when say for example, negotiating a gutter at a driveway entrance.
Second, there is the math. Your ~400ctq, * ~2.70 1st gear = ~1000 lb-ft that needs to be resolved through the frame rails. That number is tiny, compared to the forces the frame deals with, when say for example, negotiating a gutter at a driveway entrance.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
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From: NC
Yeah, not gonna pop the frame or anything man.
Think about it, you can jack the car up, on one corner of the frame.
Think about all of the force the jack is placing on the structure of the car as it's raising the car upwards, now you're shifting all of the weight in the car, all 3250lbs of it, unevenly.
To say nothing, as tom mentioned of the stresses the actual suspension work does, when it's doing it's job puts on the car.
Some of the quickest autox guys raced with the targa off.
Think about it, you can jack the car up, on one corner of the frame.
Think about all of the force the jack is placing on the structure of the car as it's raising the car upwards, now you're shifting all of the weight in the car, all 3250lbs of it, unevenly.
To say nothing, as tom mentioned of the stresses the actual suspension work does, when it's doing it's job puts on the car.
Some of the quickest autox guys raced with the targa off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
Yeah, not gonna pop the frame or anything man.
Think about it, you can jack the car up, on one corner of the frame.
Think about all of the force the jack is placing on the structure of the car as it's raising the car upwards, now you're shifting all of the weight in the car, all 3250lbs of it, unevenly.
To say nothing, as tom mentioned of the stresses the actual suspension work does, when it's doing it's job puts on the car.
Some of the quickest autox guys raced with the targa off.
Think about it, you can jack the car up, on one corner of the frame.
Think about all of the force the jack is placing on the structure of the car as it's raising the car upwards, now you're shifting all of the weight in the car, all 3250lbs of it, unevenly.
To say nothing, as tom mentioned of the stresses the actual suspension work does, when it's doing it's job puts on the car.
Some of the quickest autox guys raced with the targa off.
Much different then Dynamic loading, imagine the force's, as Tom mentioned.. At first you torque roll the Frame real good,, and then shock it with vibration, this is were you break things.
As mentioned above, look in the Book!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
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From: Houston Texas
we are Kidding man, I just shopped that photo. Drive it like you stole it. No worries. 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Pennsylvania
I can't see any car manufacturer designing a car that they tell you that you need to be gentle with it if you remove the top because it could cause frame or body damage. It would have never passed safety regulations. I call 
to this dangerous "twist theory".
to this dangerous "twist theory".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
What did it say about "that bass?" I am all about that bass......
Since you have your book available, can you tell me if I can "up the bass" w/o frame twisting, Mythbusters says one thing as Tom pointed out but I want to make sure....
Ch@0s; Will your LS "blow the top (targa) right off your car?" I mean I know it will if its not tight, but if you tighten it are you concerned about your top blowing off due to excessive power? I heard about that from a friend too, but I could not find that in the owners manual....I should proceed with caution, I guess.......
Since you have your book available, can you tell me if I can "up the bass" w/o frame twisting, Mythbusters says one thing as Tom pointed out but I want to make sure....
Ch@0s; Will your LS "blow the top (targa) right off your car?" I mean I know it will if its not tight, but if you tighten it are you concerned about your top blowing off due to excessive power? I heard about that from a friend too, but I could not find that in the owners manual....I should proceed with caution, I guess.......
Last edited by 856SPEED; Dec 12, 2014 at 07:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
What did it say about "that bass?" I am all about that bass......
Since you have your book available, can you tell me if I can "up the bass" w/o frame twisting, Mythbusters says one thing as Tom pointed out but I want to make sure....
Ch@0s; Will your LS "blow the top (targa) right off your car?" I mean I know it will if its not tight, but if you tighten it are you concerned about your top blowing off due to excessive power? I heard about that from a friend too, but I could not find that in the owners manual....I should proceed with caution, I guess.......
Since you have your book available, can you tell me if I can "up the bass" w/o frame twisting, Mythbusters says one thing as Tom pointed out but I want to make sure....
Ch@0s; Will your LS "blow the top (targa) right off your car?" I mean I know it will if its not tight, but if you tighten it are you concerned about your top blowing off due to excessive power? I heard about that from a friend too, but I could not find that in the owners manual....I should proceed with caution, I guess.......
